The Nigerian Correctional Service has taken another significant step toward reducing reoffending by providing business starter kits to 24 former inmates, reinforcing its commitment to rehabilitation and reintegration across the country.
The symbolic handover of the empowerment packages took place in Abuja, where the Controller-General of NCoS, Mr. Sylvester Nwakuche, congratulated the beneficiaries and assured them of the Service’s continued support in their journey toward positive living.
Describing the event as more than a welfare activity, Nwakuche said it reflected the agency’s core mission of helping individuals regain dignity, achieve stability and become productive members of society.
“This programme represents our belief that people can change and that every reformed person deserves an opportunity for a new beginning,” he stated.
He explained that the empowerment exercise was implemented under a newly developed framework known as the Reformatory Enlightenment Programme (REP), designed to provide structured support to inmates before, during and after vocational training.
According to him, REP ensures that skills training goes beyond the correctional facilities by offering post-release monitoring, documentation and mentorship.
“The initiative is not symbolic. It is deliberate and measurable. Every participant was evaluated in terms of character, emotional readiness and technical competence before being selected,” he said.
The Controller-General noted that the beneficiaries underwent training in several vocational areas such as tailoring, hairdressing, barbing, carpentry, welding and laundry services.
“These skills are not just means of survival; they are assets for growth. In today’s economy, technical competence is a gateway to independence,” he explained.
Nwakuche emphasised that rehabilitation is a shared responsibility and urged government agencies, civil society groups, religious institutions and private sector actors to collaborate with the Service to expand support structures for reformed individuals.
“If we truly want to reduce crime, then supporting ex-offenders through sustainable empowerment is the smartest investment in national security,” he added.
He further stated that the transformation of Nigeria’s correctional institutions following the passage of the 2019 Correctional Act must be reflected in improved outcomes, not just a change in name.
“The move from ‘Prisons’ to ‘Corrections’ is about transformation, not terminology. Real success lies in how well former inmates are reintegrated into society,” he said.
Nwakuche announced that starting in 2026, the empowerment scheme will be implemented quarterly to reach a larger number of beneficiaries and support the federal government’s social development agenda.
He urged recipients to treat the tools as stepping stones to stability and growth rather than mere gifts.
“These items are seeds for your future. Use them wisely and let your actions speak louder than your past,” he charged.
The beneficiaries expressed deep appreciation to the Service, describing the support as life-changing and timely.
They noted that the tools and equipment would enable them to establish small businesses, provide for their families and contribute meaningfully to their communities.
According to them, the empowerment initiative has restored their confidence and provided a practical path to self-reliance.
“We are grateful for this opportunity. We promise to make the most of it and represent the Service with integrity wherever we go,” one of the beneficiaries said.
Items distributed included sewing machines, welding sets, hair-styling equipment, barbing tools, carpentry kits, washing machines, water tanks and power generators. 
The development reaffirms the Nigerian Correctional Service’s commitment to reforming lives and building safer communities through empowerment and accountability.
